Three Beautiful Bedrooms: Minimalist, Spacious and Asian Decor

Enlarge Image Image Gallery Richard and Jennifer Lennon have a sizable collection of Asian art. Above their bed is an 1850s shop sign imported from Hong Kong. “We have no idea what it says,” Jennifer says. “Hopefully it isn’t a sign for a funeral parlor!” Photography y Susan Sully

Peace Accords
A Vietnam vet and his wife sleep easily on fair-trade Vietnamese silks.

Shortly after they relocated from Seattle to Charleston, South Carolina, Richard and Jennifer Lennon spent a sunny afternoon exploring their new city. While strolling around downtown, the couple stumbled across Lulan Artisans in a moment of serendipity. The home décor retailer sells contemporary textiles that are handmade in Southeast Asia. Its holistic approach to textile design honors the centuries-old traditions of its weavers-many of them located in Vietnam-who use nontoxic, natural dyes and are paid a fair wage.

The company's emphasis on sustainability and social responsibility was a new concept to the Lennons, but it struck a personal chord for Richard, a Vietnam War veteran. "This was something brand new to us, but we really got into the philosophy," Richard says. "Having been to Vietnam three times and having an affinity with the Vietnamese, it rang a bell with us."

As the couple began decorating their new Charleston Colonial home, an Asian theme emerged. In their master bedroom, the Lennons chose a duvet cover, pillows and a throw made from handwoven, hand-dyed silk. These perfectly complement their other decorative choices, including a bamboo chaise; a pair of Korean nightstands; a framed, hand-painted, Japanese scarf; and a collection of Vietnamese water puppets, an 800-year-old folk art form.

Socially responsible decorating may be a new concept to the Lennons, but it's not a fleeting one. "I got emotionally attached to the sisterhood of Vietnamese women who are doing this," Jennifer says. "These people are survivors, and I think it's really important to support that."

Our favorite feature: socially responsible linens

Lulan Artisans offers handwoven and hand-dyed silk fabric and finished pieces (things an automated power loom couldn't duplicate) made by Vietnamese weavers who are paid a fair wage for their work. In this bedroom, Lulan provided the silk duvet cover, pillows, throw and dining chair seat covers.

The Good Stuff

• Socially responsible, handmade linens
• Tables crafted from reclaimed metal by Steven Hensel of Hensel Design Studios in Seattle.
• Chaise made from renewable bamboo
• Decorated with antiques, minimizing the need for new materials

Serene in Seattle
This warm, nurturing retreat is an expression of its owners' eclectic, minimalist style.

After climbing the corporate ladder in the mergers-and-acquisitions field for a decade, Ann and David Knight reached a tipping point in 1994. Despite wildly successful careers, the couple felt something was missing. "We took the summer off and thought about what is really important to us," Ann says. "The environmental movement was just gathering steam, and we wanted to help promote that."